Over the past years, there has been a rising
interest in the connection between formal
theories of semantics/pragmatics and language
change. Certain phenomena such as the emergence
of functional morphemes and words can best be
investigated and understood in terms of
semantic theories that allow for an explicit
treatment of semantic composition. Another
trend in meaning change is the change from
situation-dependent meanings to
situation-independent meanings, for instance
when verbs of possession turn into future
markers. Again, this trend can be put to test
concisely in intensional semantics, where
possible worlds are a visible parameter. The
special session aims to intensify the exchange
between synchronic and diachronic
investigations of meaning, and to explore new
and fruitful connections.

Organizing Committee:

Regine Eckardt
Igor Yanovich
Hedde Zeijlstra

Call for Papers:

The University of Göttingen is pleased to
announce a special session on semantic change
as part of Sinn und Bedeutung 19 taking place
on September 15 - 17, 2014.

Abstracts should contain original research
that, at the time of submission, has neither
been published nor accepted for publication.
One person can submit at most one abstract as
sole author and one as co-author or two
co-authored abstracts, for both sessions
combined. Abstracts must be submitted
electronically in PDF format via EasyChair. On
the submission page, you will be asked to
select whether you wish to submit the abstract
to the general session or the special
session.

Submissions should be anonymous and should not
reveal the identities of the authors in any
form. Abstracts must not exceed two pages
(letter size or A4 paper, 2.5cm or 1 inch
margins on all sides, 12 point font), including
examples and references. Examples should be
included where they are discussed, not grouped
together on the second page.